Empty canoe spotted, body recovered

Friday, October 23, 2009

LARRY NEFF/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS Rescue workers search Mauch Chunk Lake for a missing individual after an overturned canoe was found. Eventually, the body of a 53-year-old Fogelsville man was located in the lake.

By RON GOWER rgower@tnonline.com

A man, reportedly from Fogelsville, was found dead in Mauch Chunk Lake late Thursday afternoon, hours after his canoe was located anchored with a rock.

The identity of the man wasn't available this morning, although it was reported he is 53 years old.

Summit Hill Chief of Police Joe Fittos said the investigation has been turned over to state police.

PCO Steigerwalt of the Lehighton barracks of the state police said this morning they have no information available, adding, "When we have a release, we'll send it to you." She said the investigating trooper was not available.

Fittos said the incident unfolded Thursday morning when two fishermen noticed a canoe with nobody in it. They towed the canoe to the shore and notified park authorities, who in turn informed the Fish & Boat Commission.

Mark Nalesnik of the Emergency Management Agency, said the canoe was upright, and was anchored with a rock about 30 yards off shore. A search was conducted consisting of the Summit Hill Fire Department, a dive team from the Lehighton Fire Department, the East Penn Township Search & Rescue Team, and a state police helicopter.

The Carbon County Emergency Management Agency also was dispatched to the scene, as were the Summit Hill Police Department, Carbon County Coroner Bruce Nalesnik, fire police, park rangers, and the Fish and Boat Commission.

The body of the deceased man was scene by the helicopter crew at about 5:30 p.m. in the water, said Fittos.

Mark Nalesnik said the crew in the helicopter spotted what they thought was the deceased individual in water about 10-12 feet deep and directed divers to that location.

"They were really amazing," Fittos said of the helicopter crew. He said initially there was concern whether the helicopter could even be used. There was wind in the morning and the water on the lake was a little choppy.

Fittos praised the work of all the rescue workers for their determination and joint effort.